Test Program Structure
The Graduate School of Business and Economics offers you a stimulating scientific environment to advance your academic career. You will engage in an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty members and a PhD Advisory Committee with members both from our faculty and from outside. You also have the possibility to interact with internationally renowned researchers in joint research projects. The PhD program includes advanced courses that equip you with the necessary theoretical knowledge and research methods to successfully write a doctoral thesis. Participants of our PhD program can also attend the Swiss Program for Beginning Doctoral Students in Economics at the Study Center Gerzensee or the PhD program of the Swiss Finance Institute (SFI). Our graduates pursue successful careers in academia, governments, and private-sector firms worldwide.
The program consists of
- the research proposal, to be submitted at the end of the first year
- min. 18 CP of coursework in the modules below
- the dissertation
- the doctoral examination.
The coursework can be taken in the following four modules:
| Module | min. Credit Points |
|---|---|
| Internal presentation of own research | 3 |
| External presentation of own research | 3 |
| Advanced theories and methods | 9 |
| Didactics and other training | optional |
Minimum one internal and external presentation of your own research are compulsory, additional presentations are encouraged can be used to earn additional credits. We offer a range of courses in the "Advanced theories and methods" courses, but it is also possible to visit courses at other universities and institutions.
We are members of the Swiss Network of PhD Courses in Economics and Finance and our students may take part in the SFI, DAR, or Gerzensee Programs or visit SSPH courses.
If you are interested in any of these options, bring it up early with your potential supervisor, as some programs will require adhering to early deadlines or completing a GRE, if you have not yet done so.
Our professors and their research groups and research areas may be found here.
Professors who are not listed as supervisors in our application form may still be open to working with you. Please contact them directly to find out.
A master's degree from the Faculty of Business and Economics of the University of Basel with a grade of 5 or higher fulfils the admission requirements for our PhD program. Other degrees from the university of Basel, other Swiss universities or universities abroad may be recognised as equivalent and also be considered to fulfil the admission requirements. If the admission requirements are only partially fulfilled, the Doctoral Board may ask for additional reqiurements (usually master level courses) to be taken at the beginning of the program.
Please note, that professional postgraduate degrees, such as MBA, do not fulfil the admission requirements.
It is possible to start in fall or spring, individual start dates may be negotiated. Please see below for the application deadlines.
The program usually takes 4 years. Doing it in a shorter period of time may be possible for motivated individuals. A longer duration may be possible, though individual solutions will have to be found for the funding.
Fees
Application fee (GSBE): none.
Application fee (University of Basel): CHF 100.
Tuition fees per year: CHF 700.
Individual costs of living etc. are not included.
Funding
Participants of our PhD program may be offered a competitive funding package covering the costs of living in Basel over four years. It is also possible to do a PhD part time and fund yourself through work external to the University of Basel. If you are interested in doing this, please contact a potential supervisor directly.
This application is to the Graduate School of Business and Economics (GSBE). Candidates who have been made an offer will need to apply to the University of Basel directly in a second step. The GSBE and your supervisor will support you with that process.
It is not possible to apply to the University of Basel directly without the support of a supervisor. If the professor you wish to work with is not listed as a potential supervisor, feel free to contact them directly.
For the application to the GSBE you will need the following documents:
- Completed application form (follow the link provided)
- CV
- Master’s and bachelor’s degree diploma and mark sheet
- Scientific writing example (master‘s thesis, term paper, bachelor’s thesis or journal article)
In the application process you will be asked to supply two reference persons. Please ensure you inform them before giving us their contact information to ensure that they are ready and willing to submit a reference letter on your behalf.
Calls take place twice a year.
Deadline fall start date: Jan 31
Deadline spring start date: July 31